Florida man accused of using fake DOJ seal in letters to car company
Prosecutors said one letter dated Oct. 15, 2024, was sent to the company’s corporate offices in Bergen County.
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A Florida man is accused of using a fraudulent Department of Justice seal while falsely representing himself as a federal prosecutor in letters to a luxury car company with corporate offices in New Jersey, federal prosecutors said.
Paul Richard Johnson, 55, of Miami, was charged by complaint with fraudulent use of a government seal. He made his initial appearance in Newark federal court after being arrested last week in Miami, prosecutors said.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Johnson had never been employed by the Justice Department. Prosecutors said he began corresponding with the automobile manufacturer around July 2024 to resolve a dispute involving an unpaid lease, which had been referred to collections and led to negative credit report entries.
Authorities said Johnson used letters featuring a DOJ seal, “U.S. Department of Justice” letterhead and references to the National Security Division while trying to get the company to repair his credit history. In several letters, prosecutors said, Johnson falsely described himself as a federal prosecutor, including as an “assistant United States attorney.”
Prosecutors said one letter dated Oct. 15, 2024, was sent to the company’s corporate offices in Bergen County. In that letter, authorities said Johnson again used the fraudulent seal and a fake DOJ email account.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
